Richard K. Sanders, 74, passed away Thursday, May 28 in Shreveport following a lengthy illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gruner D. and Annie Marea Sanders.
Survivors are his brother Stanley B. Sanders and wife Judy, niece Lindsey Heusel and husband Darrin, close friend and companion Linda Felchak and numerous friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 13 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at 1383 LA Hwy. 531 in Minden. At 2 p.m., special comments will be delivered by Chris Plants (Men of Courage) and Tracy Campbell.
Visitors will recognize the location of the service by a unique group of vintage tractors which will be parked at the driveway entrance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Marfans Foundation, 22 Manhasser Ave., Port Washington, NY, 11050, to St. Jude Research Hospital or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
He was employed by the Webster Parish Police Jury road crew and retired as foreman.
Richard Sanders was a board member of the Webster Parish Farm Bureau and the Webster Parish Cattleman’s Association. He took great pride in cooking the steaks, onions and baked potatoes at the quarterly steak suppers at the Cattlemen’s meetings.
He attended Louisiana Tech, earning a degree in Agribusiness. Richard raised soybeans, Milo, cows, hays and trees until an aneurysm and open heart surgery at age 45 slowed him down.
After his surgery, he stopped raising soybeans and Milo, but continued raising cows, hay and trees. Four years ago, Richard had a second open heart surgery to repair a leakage on his aorta. On May 4, 2026, he had a third open heart surgery to replace a mechanical valve with a cow valve. His body was unable to recover.
Doctors were amazed he made it to age 74 while suffering from Marfans Syndrome.
One of Richard’s great passions was finding a tractor, fixing it and putting to work. Most of his tractors have an implement attached year ‘round.
Richard will be remembered as the man who, along with his brother Stanley, was always ready to provide a flatbed trailer, filled with hay and enthusiastic riders, to be pulled by one of his unique tractors during special events in Minden.
Russell Sanders, Richard’s nephew has special memories.
“We celebrate the life of my beloved uncle, Richard K. Sanders, a man who loved his family, the farming life and engines loud enough to wake the neighbors. While he chased the thrill of a tractor pull, Uncle Richard was a patient, low-gear kind of man.
“He taught me the true importance of taking your time, being patient and doing the job right the first time. As a mentor, he would let me tackle projects by myself to figure things out, but he was always right there the moment I needed help.
“He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, loud engines and unforgettable wisdom. I will miss him deeply, but I take comfort in knowing he’s probably up there right now with his good friends Tommy Addison, Bill Campbell and Obie Ware tuning up a celestial Farmall or a John Deere, showing everyone how a real tractor pull is done.”